The Case for Abstraction | The Art Assignment | PBS Digital Studios
2016 ж. 27 Шіл.
1 084 543 Рет қаралды
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For much of human history, people made art by trying to represent the world as it appeared around them. Until about 100 years ago, when a bunch of artists stopped trying to do that. It was shocking then and it still upsets and confounds today. How are we supposed to deal with art completely removed from recognizable objects? And why should we? This is the case for Abstraction.
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As a physicist, what struck me was the connection here with mathematics: from my perspective, maths IS abstraction in the realest of senses. Take, for example, numbers: when we first learn about numbers, we think of three beans or four cars, i.e. numbers as an adjective to describe. The first major leap of abstraction we teach is that four is not just a describing word, but also an idea, an object in itself that has properties attached to it (addition, subtraction, etc.). As the maths gets more complex, we continue to describe certain ideas (e.g. the concept of a vector) as objects, which of course from the literalist's perspective is absurd: how can you have a number just exist in the world?! All of this isn't coincidental. We use maths precisely because it strips away any of the guff (i.e. unnecessary context) not needed to solve the problem. Want to add to add three beans to two beans? Well, it's exactly the same question as if you were talking about cars or anything else: what matters is the number, not the thing itself. By doing this, the tools we have left are not only incredibly efficient (algebra, calculus, etc.) but also can have the context built back into them with ease. The case for abstraction in mathematics is then self evident! Funny, how different fields of thought end up closing upon the same idea.
What a great comment. Yet another proof that art and science are way closer than we as a society see them.
YES! Thank you so much for joining the conversation and bringing in this important point.
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Totally agree, my friend. I thought to myself that, if math is abstract, then abstract art is much older than the movement that is described in this video. Think of Egyptians and Greeks connecting dots to stars in the galaxy. 5 lines connecting to stars and galaxies somehow is a Taurus or Zeus. Is that not abstract?? Or how about Egyptians calculating out how to build the pyramids. Clearly that kind of math was not done in someone's head. The idea of drawing 4 lines vertically and one line horizontally to indicate the number 5 looks abstract to me. If a coloured square on a canvas is abstract, well then......
This makes me thirst for a crash course art history course.
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although: its worth noting that khan academy has done at least a handful of art history videos.
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I remember being an art student in college and sitting in my art history class listening to the teacher talk about abstract art and thinking, "This is both stupid and ugly, and it doesn't depict anything real. What's the point?" But stated in this video was something I hadn't considered then: There are things that are real that can't be seen. And those are as deserving of depiction as the things that can be seen. Very informative. Thank you.
It's all Greek to me,
It’s not just about representing ideas of emotions either though. Abstract art shows us that art can have value in and of itself, without needing to tie itself to reality. Nature, for example, is beautiful simply because it is nature. Why can’t art be worth appreciating just as itself, not representing anything at all?
Those real things that can't be seen also apparently can't be painted, as evidenced by every attempt shown in the video.
Sounds like a scam.
What is not real is pointless ??? What is not real ?
They need to start teaching art like this earlier in elementary school! It would be so interesting if in elementary school, teachers didn't underestimate the ability and willingness of kids to learn about art that isn't "heres how to make a butterfly out of a paper cup". I feel like society's opinion on art would be so different.
Matt you are so right.. it’s important to learn kids about different ways to think or do things.. and as a plus side.. we will get less small minded people who think that art , music or movies there are different or more challenging.. is crap , pretentious or boring.. will they complain about the last Star Wars movie or something else mainstream nonsense... !
Psychologically we as humans don’t typically develop the ability to think abstractly until around our adolescence and adulthood, so expecting grade school children to grasp concepts like this might be a bit much
And I think art projects like those are less for the teaching of art and creating (while it does do that), but more-so for teaching symbolism and the ability to connect an idea to a symbol (i.e., this shape is a butterfly)
Pretensious bs is hard art
What i alone like about this comment is say i was born a female. I CAN and NEVER will know. So how could one survive without say plastic surgury? Or some sort of confusing surgry. Boint
This is an incredibly dense 9 minutes! There needs to be something like a 14 episode Netflix show on all this because seriously, there's that much to cover. Not only is there a lot of material from an arts perspective. All of the artists involved in these movements were incredibly interesting and dynamic people. Not only did their work become iconic, but their associations were vast and influential.
When you think about it, abstraction art is like the instrumental genre of music. Realistic art is like having lyrics in music feed you the message of the song. While abstraction art, is more of instrumental music. Just a thought...
TheBigBison Lyrics only feeds the message to those who understands the language. The reaity is.. Abstraction was a can of warm dumped out to attack the USSR. It was first funded by our PR and later wall street bankers.
And the instrumental music is in the background, always there but not necessarily the thing you notice first, building an almost base
Victoria the background music could be either good or bad.. abstraction is neither. It's meaningless if it isnt unaccompanied by pretentious ppl. lecturing us. The avant-garde of 19th century Parisians revolution has been hijacked like so many movements with a merit. Art can no longer stand on its own the way music can
Yeah, I'll have to disagree on that.
Completely disagree. A Lot of classical music is about conveying scenes and landscapes and so forth; which isn't to say that there isn't abstract music which is only "instrumental". Jazz is a good example. Music with lyrics on the other hand is *generally* more simple and so doesn't care about conveying landscapes and so doesn't. Making it more abstract in that sense, because evidently, there are as well Very abstract lyrics out there; so the conclusion is that there is music with lyrics and without, and abstract music and not inside each of the two categories.
I think its interesting because as a 15 year old abstraction is so ingrained in our culture and art that it seems bizarre that there ever was not. It's always a good reminder that your world isn't yours and wasn't always the same
This is why I love this century so much. Great art videos in high quality video format delivered to your doorstep for free on KZhead.
Would like to see a The Case For video about Realism/Figurative Art/Representational Art and especially on your take on where it stands in the very progressive influx of art/artists in contemporary art. I love this channel, by the way! Thank you!
Yes, I would love that also. The last decade or so we've seen tons of online communities and real-world ateliers and schools pop up because of the backlash in art teaching especially in academia where the academic approach to drawing and painting has been shunned and modern/abstract art put in a pedestal. There's something about the craftsmanship that I love in regards to realism and representational art. While the Art elites care little for it, the people still do. Representational art can still be seen through great illustrators, designers and animators in comics, illustration books, movies, concept art etc.
This was brilliant Sarah!
The Art of Photography Is great
It actually was brilliant. I enjoyed it very much. Like she said in the end something about "a period when humans did not embrace abstraction' that is so true because everything started with abstract art etc, ...this was GREAT!!! thank you.
this vid brings up the 'coming to the fore' of abstraction in visual art but doesn't address the principals of it, only its formation... which is why we see so much art today excused for its lack of subjectivity and technical accomplishment because it can be grouped with philosophically driven and rigours work which is also 'abstract' , abstraction is a linguistic proposition for refinement and rejection of notated language, a more effective way of expressing the nature of a subject, not simply not trying to depict it accurately or in a form of visual shorthand... while nicely referenced this is the tail wagging the dog.
and with regard to the conclusion, abstract art is not dynamic, is it supposed to be universal, something akin to Noam Chomski's notion of 'Generative Grammar'. the abstractions in visual art are attempts to explore and express the axioms or building blocks of our universal human and perceived experience
this was one of the most satisfying videos I have ever seen. I'm an artist myself and abstraction is one of the things I really admire but doesn't come easily for me. I work really hard to make the images I do and sometimes they don't work out. I've had several people ask me why I even try and well now I'll just show them this so they'll understand the beauty of abstraction. thank you for such a wonderful and inspiring video
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I love these "The Case for...." episodes!! thanks so much for creating and sharing C:
Abstract art is beautiful in its ability to create not what others know but to create the unknown in a way that is knowable
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Salaam! I absolutely love this vid. I usually find myself somewhere in between abstraction and minimalism when it comes to the art I appreciate/enjoy most. It feels good to know there's a "world" of art and history that bridge the two. Thanks for the amazing video. It always helps to know that someone else has been where you are... :) Peace and Love!
I LOVE this kind of art It's so intriguing to me, makes me think and feel differently than looking at a realistic art work (not to belittle realistic art)
Brilliantly done! It is obvious how much work goes in to each one of these videos, and we appreciate it thoroughly!
All art is both abstract and realistic, it's just a matter of perspective, and of degree. Most people enjoy both in an artwork, up to the point where they go to extremes. You might not notice the abstraction going on in an Inness or Caillebotte, but your eyes enjoy putting the pieces together into a recognizable image. Thank you Sarah for putting this video together and introducing me to some great new artists. I'm just going to add in one little quote from Stapleton Kearns just to play Devil's advocate, and maybe add an additional perspective to the discussion: “When I go to the museum, I often find myself standing behind people who talk about psychology. Many people mistake painting for psychology. They know nothing about painting, but they learned about psychology in school. So they talk about their feelings and how the artist must have felt. They discuss the various pathologies of mental derangement and vicariously imagine themselves as decoratively insane, well only a little, nothing too unattractive. They are happiest in front of the work of obviously tortured artists or paintings that lend themselves to speculation on the ideas of Freud. It is a little like the fable from India about the blind men examining an elephant. Each grabs a different part of what must have been a very patient, docile animal and speculates about the larger beast. One holding the tail supposes the animal is very like a snake, another hugging an enormous leg says the elephant is more like a tree…”
Just adding another quote from an artist friend, "There’s a realist movement afoot at the present, so it’s like we’re taking laps around a track. It’s pretty great to see fine draftsmanship and painting. I’ve done my share of academic painting and drawing. But a lot of this drawing and painting stays at an academic level - that is, beautiful nude, beautiful pose, beautiful technique, etc. A lot of concept art is starting to look the same as well. With modernism, people simply took a break for a time. The academic stuff can get boring and redundant. You know exactly what it represents - a naked guy with a stick, a still-life, etc. There’s no meaning anymore. The models can begin to look like they just want to go home. Prud’hon’s models didn’t look that way. On the complete other side of the spectrum we have pure abstraction, with Mondrian, et alia. You may not like or understand them because they’re seemingly unreasonable - unreadable. Hence people say, “I don’t get art.” I think it’s safe to say that few of the general public would prefer either extreme. Most people prefer something in between. Take, Andrew Jones as another example. His pieces are mostly abstract with hints of representation thrown in subtly to make you believe that it’s a figure, or face, or whatever. Even if a work isn’t quite so abstract, compositions are abstract. Interesting compositions always start with abstract forms. If you simply drew what you saw in front of you without organizing it, even if you drew it photo-realistically and with incredible technique, it would be boring. So, most people do like abstract art, to a certain extent. It’s only when you get to the extremes that people start complaining.
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I loved this video, it helped me to appreciate what i thought to be amateurish shapes and colors. Thank you .
I know that abstraction like fun patterns on plates or the carvings in picture frames have been around, but I wonder how it felt to look at a cubist painting for the first time. I remember in 2010 or so when I first heard dubstep. I hated it, because it felt like my brain was melting a little bit, but I knew that it was too interesting and engrossing to NOT bleed into all other kinds of music. And now it's easy to listen to. When I see abstract art, or art where the colors are strange like the painting at 1:16, I am totally unbothered. You could make that highlighter yellow with eye tricks and zebra stripes and I won't be fazed. I wonder if van gogh made people's brains feel all melty.
As our familiarity with something (an idea or an image or a word) increases the effort our brains' have to expend comprehend it decreases, it's called cognitive ease. Experiencing cognitive ease makes us feel more relaxed and more happy, consequently making us feel more positive toward the familiar thing. So maybe Van Gogh did make people's minds feel melty (possibly evidenced by how unpopular he was in his lifetime and how popular he is now?! Perhaps we are experiencing a sort of societal cognitive ease!!??)
Like how Stravinsky's Firebird doesn't make peoples' ears bleed anymore.
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How big is this empty disco? I have an idea or two with what to put in it. Not as simple and effective as dead people.
rhythm, balance, unity, line, focal point, illusion of space, color, illusion of movement, texture, shape, value, texture and pattern. you can just go down the list and find a multitude of individual examples of each within every one of their paintings. its just amazing
As an artist who does a lot of abstract paintings I really enjoyed this video. You don't waste any time going over the history of abstract art and the artists who started it, did it and some who probably still do it. Its amazing to me that it really only took off and became a well known and widely accepted art form in the early 1900's. The history of art in itself is quite fascinating but how abstraction fits into it is very interesting. I had to watch this video twice since it moves so quickly but I think I learned something both times so it was worth it. "What's strange may be the period when humans did not embrace abstraction" - Well said
I think there’s a fine line between abstraction and just foregoing any substance or effort and just labeling that as abstract. Where that line is exactly idk, but it’s definitely there
I’d say where the money laundering starts
It's an impossible endeavor to try and make broad strokes about what is and isn't art. You should just look at whatever is in front of you and decide whether or not you like it.
@@r.t.h.k.o It's not that hard to differ art from hampart.
Well, who drew the line and where it's? It's similar to line between prostitution and porn movies.
I feel as if you just feed me from a hunger I didn't know i had, thank you. Keep on the good work
This is absolutely incredible, I'm so glad I accidently came across this video! I watched the entire thing and the 20 mins went by so fast. I can rarely watch a video more than a few mins before getting bored. You are one hell of an artist! I am a non-artist who is still new to learning abstract painting, My friends here to watch the results from my abstract channel. Thank you my friend 😍😍❤❤
I have never seen myself as someone who liked abstract art but after watching this I have realised that so many of these works are beautiful and thought provoking, I guess I do like abstract art.
I love both abstract art and realistic art equally. To me, both styles speaks and connects to me in an artistic and emotional level.
This is becoming my favorite place to get excited about art. Not just the tone of your voice but the detail and quality of your research. Astounding. What about performance art? Is that a thing? Laurie Anderson may have triggered flash mobs?
I can’t even keep count of how many times I’ve watched this video. I really really love the way you explain the topic
This really makes me think of the Semana da Arte Moderna of 1922 that happened in Brazil, many influential brazilian artists were part of it and I would like to know if you have any knowledge about it. Thank you for the awesome video.
Wow, some of this art is gorgeous! There are several artists I want to learn more about, just from watching this video. Thanks for the video.
I've been struggling to see the connections of mid-twentieth century American poetry (primarily New York School poets and some of the Beats) and the abstract art world. This video helped me understand how certain concepts overlap and how one might achieve abstract expressionistic (and impressionistic) techniques through the medium of language. Awesome video and excellent work!
I love this channel (as much as i love abstraction :P ) Thank you, i just discover this fantastic channel, it all came at its right time, i have been watching some videos like for a week know and the content is far more than impressive, really well researched, extremely well presented, and so damn easy to follow. Thank everyone who are (or were) involved in this magnificent channel, thank you all.
Reading The Shock Of The New right now. Really great video refreshes my mind on what I just read and adding new things aswell.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank You !!! You touched deeply the need for such understanding, that we artists must move forward always and the public could use well this education..Great job ! My respect too you !
Love the work of klint and besant, but surprised I've never been introduced to their work, and at the same time, not surprised
Sara, thanks for this thoughtful and informative introduction to abstraction. Recently, as a quilter, I have found myself drawn to Paul Klee. Your video makes me want to look further.
Probably the most perfect essay about abstract art that I've experienced.
One of the most inspiring and thought provoking videos I’ve ever seen on KZhead.
One of the most concise yet inclusive presentations on abstract art I’ve ever seen.
The album art for Bon Iver's self titled album is imo one of the BEST examples of balancing abstraction and straight landscaping. Absolutely gorgeous.
What truly captivates me about abstraction is the uniqueness brought forth by its creator, alongside the inherent similarity within their body of work. This distinctive blend of personal expression and thematic consistency is something rarely found in other genres such as realism or naturalism. It's fascinating to see how abstract artists convey individuality while maintaining a coherent style across their creations.
Abstractions can be good when their semantic is either self evident or if there is a consensus on its definition. They can be powerful by allowing the mind to handle complex concepts fast. If for the symbol "2" some people say it is two and others 3 it looses its value. The same happens with words. The problem I see with abstract art is that I don't see them defining the semantics of texture, edge curves, or geometric shapes. It is meant to be open to subjective interpretation. If I make some random shapes/texture from the computer and place it as a form of art. Then someone inspect the "art" and starts making a whole complex story out of it. Does this makes sense? The same can be done with clouds. I can genuinely paint an abstract art with my emotions and state of mind. And what happens if the person that inspects the painting feels/interprets something totally different. It would be nice to see if someone has made an experiment with one of the best abstract paintings to see the meaning the infer and then interview the artist to explain what he/she tried to convey.
Great history lesson and time line and time capsule of art history. Thanks for sharing the knowledge
i love these "a case for..." videos thanks for putting them out
I love these series! And it just makes me think if the act of photoshopping a photograph is art.
Wheter we like to admit it or not (and whether I spelt whether right), we are all here for the same thing: to see abstract art and be curious about it :D
The thing I love about Abstraction is for the most part it moves away from art that can only be truly understood by one time or culture. The aesthetics I not about the long history of cultural ideas of beauty. So the more Abstract the art is the more universal it can be.
Interesting observation. Thanks.
This made me happy when I saw it on my subs feed. Love this series, keep going :)
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felt like it was on 2x speed . still interesting tho , i liked it , hope u keep going .
I slowed it down so I could understand.
@@gw8813 great idea!
so crazy. it was so fast like she drank 4 cups of expresso when recording this.
We love this series (and love abstract art)!
the pace of this condensed history is remarkable!
your "the case for" videos are always so enlightening theyre always my favorite maybe to contrast your more videos on modern art you could do "the case for traditionalism" or something like that just an idea :)
Love this video. I think it begins to touch on it near the end, but an important point for the case for abstraction might be that all visual art begins from some point of abstraction. Figuration or representation is necceassarily an abstraction of reality. This, of course, is even the case in photography. (Really, maybe the most notable difference between figurative and abstract art is just the intention by the artist.) To that end, all art lies on a spectrum of abstraction. Or maybe more accurately, art-making and experiencing is a fundamentally abstract activity no matter how it's done.
wish it was longer and more greats explored. I came across the channel recently and boy are you good!! its amazing what a layman like me can learn. Thanks a ton.
this is so good.... I was stuck on an art assessment and i got so many ideas from this, and found some new artists i love
This was already better than my whole art history semester at university in terms of informational cohesion and conceptual comprehension
Love this. WOuld love to see you tackle The Case For Jackson Pollock
What an amazing discovery with this channel!!!
I love these case for videos, coming from someone who knows very little about art. Thank you!
I love abstract art, I've painted it. Some abstract works are some of the most impactful to me and the abstract pieces that I have made mean more than most representational pieces I have done. But that's only because I know the backstory. Whenever I'm in a museum filled with what is in some cases literal garbage without any direct explanation of why it is there, I feel alienated and used by a system, no matter how hard I try to appreciate what I'm looking at. It is so easy to make anything and call it art after the fact that I need some confirmation of intention or process to be able to appreciate an abstract work. A name on a placard usually doesn't provide enough. I think this is a common problem...
Concise, clearly thought out..brilliant presentation.
Wo. What a mouth full. Very well done!!!
I am teaching my children via KZhead on the history of art, in hopes that they can appreciate the talent they have innately as children ❤😊 this is art
These videos are truly phenomenal!
This is by far the best Art Assignment video I've seen. Good Job
Can you make a video on the opposite? The case for illustration or design? Because currently, abstraction seems to be a standard in fine art school, and anybody who makes art that resemble anything in the natural world is shun because it isn't considered art. So I get that design is about function and conforming to an aesthetic rather than to express the abstract. But what about illustrations that can invoke stories? Isn't literature an art? So why is an illustration not? Etc. I don't think there's ever any real and definitive answer, but I just want a sort of counterbalance in the discussion.
Hi Mnina Maclang, the opposite of abstract art would be figurative. It is interesting what you say about contemporary art having to conform to the aesthetic values of the art market. It is even more disturbing that this is a standard in fine art school too! Anyway have a look at the art work of Gerhard Richter, in particular his photo-paintings. These are very interesting. He definitely brought back a critical aspect to figurative painting in my opinion. Also look at Sigmar Polke's raster painting… Don't give up hope on painting figuratively if that is what you are drawn to.
Mmina Maclang I have the same issue as well. I’m in a art college and my painting professor constantly tells me I’m not an artist, but an illustrator because I paint figures and he hates that. :/
Mmina Maclang don’t listen to him! I went to art school too and they often damage creativity. They are bitter because they didn’t succeed as artists themselves and had to become profession instead!
Design and illustration arent the opposite, they frequently use abstraction themselves. In this video for example there is Bauhaus, which can be seen as an art movement, but still produces very modern furniture and other everyday objects and rodchenko is sometimes called the first graphic designer, since some pieces use principles often used in posterdesign to this day. illustration isnt an art because thats pretty much how its defined. "illustrare" is latin for "illuminate", the first illustrations were to illuminate biblical figures, making them wasnt concidered art, it was a craft. People in the middle-ages produced the craziest stuff (carpentry, sculpting, painting, etc.) in the name of god and didnt even think about putting their signature underneath it. illustrators are assigned to projects, an artist does whatever he wants (more or less). In my opinion there are many people that are considered artists, that should actually be called illustrators. But somehow this word often seems to appear almost as filthy opposed to the title of being called an artist, which feels wrong for me, but im gonna hold myself back now, since thats not anymore about what you wrote :)
Great to see more people upset with this contemporary notion. So upset with these long texts next to a crumpled piece of paper on the flower :)
Thank you for this video. This is art itself. I'm gonna do some abstract paintings now. It opened my eyes
One of the best videos you have done.
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Thomas Douglas I keep seeing 12:12
Wow, more than i could have ever learned in an expensive art school, thanks, part of my works will be in abstract ;)
Informed, absolutely to the point, insightful, sharp: edit, sound, camera, Ms Green's presentation, tight; a very walk-and-talk production of actually useful source. Well done, The Art Assignment. DMSwanson Poet of Now/Keeper of the Pop Art Flame
The best abstract work intrigues and challenges and goes beyond - it does fail IMHO when it bores once the shock factor is gone.
So elegantly said!
this is beautiful. there was a tiny tear in my right eye.
Yes yes yes! God I love this stuff. Lovely encapsulation of most of my favorite work.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Beautiful video 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Thanks for existing PBS Digital Studios. I have learned way more from this guys than from University. When I finally would get a job I NEED to donate money to this people. Thanks 👏👏👏👏👏👏.
Thank you for this video. So many important informations. I’ve learnt a lot. Greetings from artist from the Czech republic
This channel deserves more recognition
"And then, about 100 years ago, a bunch of artists stopped trying to do that. It was shocking." Love that understated 'matter of fact' delivery. :) Wow, what a tour de force "Case For..."! I remember in my first year in architecture studio at university, we had a saying "#(*@! it, go abstract." Looking back on it now, our biases were showing. Abstraction was a shortcut, a way to make something fast, a thoughtless stylistic choice. I gave that view up before I left school, but this video has me seeing things in an even broader light. Tying it back to the "decoration" of both the recent and of the ancient is a brilliant connection, as was pointing out all the abstract notions we use in our society. Really great vid, I can't wait to share it with those who are still unsure about abstract art. And I really want to experience C-Curve!
I'll never be able to not like this chanel's content. It'a great! Please never stop making it! Love from Brasil ;)
While I don't like all abstract art, the idea that abstractions couldn't be art never made any sense to me. And I think you hit the nail on the head at the end, when you point out that the exception probably was "the period when humans did not embrace abstraction". I've only recently discovered your channel but I'm already loving it. Thanks!
Can I give this a standing ovation!? Fantastic summary!! Love this video. Great job!
I loved this video! For a long time (most memorably when I studied abroad in England and was so excited to go to the Tate Modern before I was basically shamed and laughed at for even suggesting it), I always felt like I was "looking at art wrong" because I was so fascinated by abstract art. I love all your videos discussing modern or abstract art, but this was my favorite, and I loved how you pulled in pieces from all periods (made me miss my art history class-taking days!), showing that it's not really a new concept at all.
Yeah, you're such a maverick and so enlightened compared to those around you. The bogus story about getting laughed at not only proves what a trendsetter you are, it allows you to impress us with your studies abroad! 👍🏻🌭
Last picture sums it up perfectly.
great video very inspiring. Im going to go paint some abstract art now!!!
I am so glad that I found this channel! Excellent videos you guys
More of these, please.
These videos are the best. MORE PLEASE!!
as someone who takes art history courses online, ive learned more about life from these videos than anything my classes teach me
I have always thought "abstract art" or "abstractionism" were misnomers. It does not correspond to my concept of abstraction. Abstraction seeks to generalize. Each piece of abstract art is a particular. What they usually mean is "nonrepresentational". But even that concept is problematical. There are different ways to represent and degrees of representation. Especially paradoxical is "abstract photography". A photograph is an exact optical representation of a particular object. Can't get more representational than that. But photographs of eroded sandstone, broken glass, ice sheets, tree bark, architectural details or leaves are called abstractions. Representational photography shows an object or tells a story that can be put into words. Abstract photographs usually don't. Most of the photographs you see are about the subject matter, not about the photograph. This is Aunt Em. This is the Golden Gate Bridge. Abstract photography is about the photograph and how it works. The picture of eroded sandstone is about how light plays on a surface to reveal shape and how the photograph captures that light, revealing form. It is not a geological description of sandstone. It does not suggest a conventional verbal category. It is purely about how tonal gradation reveals form. It is appreciated for itself alone, not for its depiction of something else. Being outside conventional categories makes abstract photographs a bit mysterious, and interesting. They are not limited by a title.
Feel like printing your comment. Totally useful when better grasping what abstract art tries to accomplish.
Very thoughtful comment. I'd put it to you that even photography is an abstraction of reality (whatever that is)
beautiful and ever so intelligent, I am regularly amazed.
Great thought-provoking video. Thanks for taking the time to upload such valuable information!!!
Retirement can be the kiss of death, because life before was structured and it's assignments came from the path we chose. PBS - Art Assignment has given me new direction and a totally engaging scaffold by which my story can be supported. Thank you PBS, thanks you KZhead and so many more thank you's to all the artists who now inspire my re-entry to cerebral engagement.
Good to know you're such a deep-thinker it took KZhead videos to give your life meaning! 👍🏻
Please... please... make A Case for Comic Book Art. I would your help in understanding a form to which has been vilified by many.
comprehensive and fast -- great overview! I will share with my Middle School art class.
you went all in! thank you. loved it.
de rain de vlaminck van gogh an matisse are the perfect amount of abstraction in my opinion. The fauvists are the epitome of representing beauty. you can see the feeling of the moment through their work more than any other even though the colors are abstracted. just true brilliance.
Very clearly explained-thanks for your good work!
What a great video. THANK YOU!
I liked better the last 30 seconds of reffering abstraction as something that has been present thorughout the history of representation in mankind, rather the accounting of european and american 20'th century art. I think it would have been a stronger argument than just listing what traditional art history books defend and sanctifies as "abstract"
Amazing work, thanks so much.